The best middle grade books of magic and adventure

Why am I passionate about this?

I am the oldest of six children – all girls! I used to make up imaginary worlds for my little sisters. We’d steal clothes from Mum and Dad for dressing up; we’d pull all the cushions off the sofa to make a show; we even used to put ribbons on the poor dog. Nowadays I write books with magic and fairy tales and adventure. I write for the child inside me; the child that loved an exciting, fantastical story. I have written over 50 books for children from picture book to middle grade, and I still love inventing imaginary worlds.


I wrote...

The Trapdoor Mysteries: A Sticky Situation

By Abie Longstaff, James Brown (illustrator),

Book cover of The Trapdoor Mysteries: A Sticky Situation

What is my book about?

Ten-year-old Tally is an orphaned servant girl at Mollett Manor. She sleeps in the scullery sink, and spends her days scrubbing, polishing, and ironing...when she’s not secretly reading books and finding hidden passages. With her squirrel friend, Squill, Tally uncovers a mysterious room beneath the manor – a magical library where the books come to life! When Mollett Manor is burgled, can Tally use the knowledge she finds in the books to catch the criminals? And could they help her solve the even deeper mystery of her missing mother?

This is the first book in the magical adventures of Tally, a code-breaking, mystery-solving, animal-loving servant girl and her best friend Squill. The four-book series is illustrated by James Brown.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Land of Roar

Abie Longstaff Why did I love this book?

The Land of Roar celebrates the power of imagination. It’s a rollicking, mad-cap adventure about eleven-year-old twins who think they are too old for games until…the fantasy world they invented when they were little comes to life. I love this book because every trope of fairies, dragons, mermaids, witches have been twisted and done afresh. It’s clever, funny and warm.

By Jenny McLachlan, Ben Mantle (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Land of Roar as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

The first in a new children's fantasy adventure series, full of imagination, humour and heart, and with echoes of Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Neverending Story and Jumanji.

The Land of Roar is perfect for children aged 8 to 12, and can sit on their bookshelf next to Nevermoor, Wizards of Once and How to Train Your Dragon. Readers can bring their fantasy world to life and meet dragons, unicorns, mermaids and more in this beautifully illustrated children's book.

Believing is just the beginning ...

When Arthur and Rose were little, they were heroes in the Land of…


Book cover of The Witches

Abie Longstaff Why did I love this book?

Spooky and magical! I remember staying up all night to finish this one when I was a child. It’s scary but so, so exciting. The real thrill comes from the idea that magic is all around us, alongside us in our everyday lives. The relationship between the boy and his grandmother is warm and loving, and their positivity is what provides the hope and joy in this book.

By Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Witches as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

From the World's No. 1 Storyteller, The Witches is a children's classic that has captured young reader's imaginations for generations.

This is not a fairy tale. This is about real witches.

Grandmamma loves to tell about witches. Real witches are the most dangerous of all living creatures on earth. There's nothing they hate so much as children, and they work all kinds of terrifying spells to get rid of them. Her grandson listens closely to Grandmamma's stories-but nothing can prepare him for the day he comes face-to-face with The Grand High Witch herself!

Now a major motion picture!


Book cover of The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife

Abie Longstaff Why did I love this book?

Magic comes in many forms and the version in this book is fast, funny, and modern. Scarlett has trouble controlling her emotions – something children will really connect with – but whenever she tries to push her feelings down, they find a very clear way of bursting out. Maz Evans knows how her readers think and speak: the dialogue and setting feel so alive and authentic; and she knows what makes them laugh.

By Maz Evans,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, and 9.

What is this book about?

Scarlett Fife has BIG feelings. And she's about to get into BIG trouble. From the bestselling Maz Evans comes a heartfelt and hilarious new series, perfect for fans of Roald Dahl's Matilda.

'A laugh-out-loud story full of warmth, Big Feelings and explosive results.' Dominique Valente, author of Starfell

'So funny, you'll explode with laughter' Sam Copeland, author of Charlie Changes into a Chicken

Scarlett Fife has BIG FEELINGS. And when she has BIG FEELINGS, they explode out of her like an over-squeezed stress ball.

Scarlett's in big trouble after a BIG FEELINGS episode leads to a runaway hamster getting into…


Book cover of The Midnight Guardians

Abie Longstaff Why did I love this book?

This book is beautifully written, with a classic feel. It’s set in wartime England and draws on old green magic and folklore, as well as the power of belief. The Midnight Guardians is a quest story, full of enchantment and warmth. Col’s three imaginary friends come to life to help him race across a snowy English landscape to save his sister. It’s a glorious book with excitement and danger as well as humour and heart.

By Ross Montgomery,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Midnight Guardians as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2021

WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH

HIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH

TOPPSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH

Sometimes at the darkest hour, hope shines the brightest...

When Col's childhood imaginary friends come to life, he discovers a world where myths and legends are real. Accompanied by his guardians - a six-foot tiger, a badger in a waistcoat and a miniature knight - Col must race to Blitz-bombed London to save his sister.

But there are darker forces at work, even than the Nazi bombings. Soon Col is pursued by the terrifying…


Book cover of Dragon Mountain

Abie Longstaff Why did I love this book?

Dragon Mountain is fast and cinematic, full of excitement and thrills. It’s the story of a group of children at a holiday camp, who find a secret entrance to a world of dragons. There are battles and races and high-speed chases. I’ve always loved stories with a training session segment where the character learns new skills and, really, who wouldn’t want to learn to fly a dragon?

By Katie Tsang, Kevin Tsang,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dragon Mountain as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award, the Children's Book of the Year (British Book Awards) and longlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award. The first book in the ROARsome DRAGON REALM series for 9+ readers! Perfect for those who love fantasy, magic, adventure and DRAGONS! Dragon Destiny, the fifth and final instalment, is now available.

'Rollicking, escapist storytelling with a dragon-sized heart'- Kiran Millwood Hargrave, bestselling author of THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS

Deep within the mountain, a great creature stirred in its sleep. Its eyes rolled back in its head, and its wings jerked wide open...

When…


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Brigitta of the White Forest

By Danika Dinsmore,

Book cover of Brigitta of the White Forest

Danika Dinsmore Author Of Brigitta of the White Forest

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Teacher Poet Tree whisperer Bird lover World builder

Danika's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

For those who enjoy fantasy adventure, the Faerie Tales from the White Forest series offers a new twist on the traditional faerie tales so loved by young readers.

From devastating curses to death-defying quests, Brigitta and her growing collective of misfit friends face greater and greater challenges when destiny calls upon them to “make the balance right again” after the Great World Cry has left their world in elemental chaos.

Brigitta of the White Forest

By Danika Dinsmore,

What is this book about?

Briggy, what happens when the Hourglass runs out?

Brigitta wished she had paid more attention to her Auntie Ferna's lessons. Being able to string a thunder-bug symphony wasn't going to help them now. She didn't know exactly what would happen when the Hourglass ran out, since no living faerie knew a time when the Hourglass didn't protect the forest . . . But even though she couldn't remember the details, she did know that without the Hourglass there would be no White Forest . . . A charming middle-grade fantasy series, "Faerie Tales from the White Forest" watches the journey…


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Interested in twins, witches, and dragons?

11,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about twins, witches, and dragons.

Twins Explore 65 books about twins
Witches Explore 135 books about witches
Dragons Explore 182 books about dragons